The Queen of Persia

Prologue

I can distinctly remember the saddest day of my life. If I close my eyes it comes back to me so effortlessly. I can still hear the subtle exchange of two male voices that reached its way to my ear. I stirred in my bed, rolling over onto my side.

The flickering light from a lamp drew my eyes towards the inner room. I pressed the back of my hand over my eyes, trying to rid the blurriness that overtakes them when I first awaken.

I found the source of the two familiar voices when I followed the light's path. My cousin Mordeccai stood over my pale and decaying father. They looked at me; Mordeccai with sadness etched in his eyes, and my father with his bloodshot orbs.

"Papa," I whimpered, as I took in his frail state.

He struggled to lift his hand towards me.

"Hada." His course, raspy voice beckoned me to his side. I slipped my hand inside of his.

Curling up next to his side, I began to brush the soft strands of his beard with my short fingers.

"If only your mother were here to see the woman you have become. You have her gentle spirit, Hada, and grow more in her likeness every day. My only regret is that you did not know her, but you need only look inside yourself if you wish to find her."

"Papa." My voice trembled. I attempted to swallow the dryness that overcame my mouth and throat. "Papa, please don't leave me too." Tears escaped my eyes, despite my trying to restrain them.

I felt his hand gently wipe my cheeks.

"You know I would stay here with you if I could, but your mother is calling me to her. Do not cry for me, Hada. Rejoice that your parents are being reunited after thirteen years apart. We won't see you for a while, though. No, you have so much left to do. Promise me something, Hada."

I sniffled, rubbed the tip of my nose then looked up at my father with teary eyes. "Yes, Papa."

"Promise me you'll obey your Cousin Mordeccai. He will protect you when I am gone."

I turned, peering over my shoulder. My cousin Mordeccai towered over both of us, his face hardened by deep lines. His eyes began to shine. That was the first time I ever saw him cry.

I ripped my eyes from Mordeccai and when I looked back down on my father his chest no longer rose. His cheeks were sunken as death set in. His lifeless eyes struck through mine.

I gasped for air, struggling to find my breath. Mordeccai reached down and ran a gentle hand over my father's eyes, closing them. I flung my arms onto his chest, savoring the strange warmth that still resided there.

His tattered cloak caught the deluge of tears that ran down my face. My weakened knees could no longer hold me up, and I slumped down to the floor remaining by his side. I grasped my father's hands and kissed them frantically.

Mordeccai knelt beside me. His arms enveloped me. His tears joined in with mine. We stayed like that for hours, until our eyes had dried out. I cried because I had lost my last remaining parent; because the light of my life was extinguished by darkness; I cried because the realization that I was an orphan settled down into my soul, and I knew nothing would ever remedy that.